b'A CommunityCollaborationTennis program helps local youth with autismBY JUDIE HURTADOI n the fall of 2021, when longtime Maple- dren with intellectual disabilities, there is a pro-wood resident Sandy LoPiccolo first discov- found need for activities in the community where ered ACEing Autism through family friends,our kids can interact and then can see each other she had no idea of the impact it would havejust walking in town, says Matt. Bringing ACE-on her familys life and the lives of so manying back to SOMA was a logical next step. Matt others.also serves as program director. They committed to ACEing Autism is a national non-profitmaking it happen, knowing they needed the com-organization whose mission is to help children withmunitys support. autism grow, develop and benefit from social con- Sandyusedherskillsandextensiveexperi-nections and fitness through affordable tennis pro- ence in advocacy and work on non-profit boards. gramming. The organization serves 5,000 childrenShe connected with Matt Gray, director of recre-atmorethan200locationsnationwide. Trainedation and cultural affairs at the Baird Center, to program directors and volunteers lead participantssee whether she could run the program there and ages 5-21 through their curriculum in sessions of 6use the tennis courts. Sandy enlisted tennis profes-to 8 weeks.sional and coach Yoofi Derby after a mutual friend Up until a few years ago, playing tennis was al- spoke highly of him and his expertise in working most a family affair for the LoPiccolos. Sandy hadwith kids with disabilities. Derby had volunteered picked up the racket 12 years ago. Her husbandin the United Kingdom through the National Au-Matt had grown up playing tennis. Their daughter,tistic Society and worked with students with dis-Ellie, now 20, was a former girls varsity tennis play- abilities on and off the court. er and captain at Montclair Kimberley Academy.ForDerby,whohasmorethantwodecades Yet their youngest daughter, Maddie, now 17, who lives with autism, had only taken a handful of private lessons. It wasnt until Maddie enrolled in New Jerseys ACEing Autisms inaugural program at Orange Lawn Tennis Club, when suddenly the four of us were able to play tennis together, just like any other family, says LoPiccolo, who now serves as program director and Parents Council member for ACEing Autisms South Orange location. In the fall of 2024, the program at the Orange Lawn Tennis Club was moved to Chatham, then theclosestACEingAutismchaptertoSOMA. Top: Mae Cosentino and Lucy Oakes warm- Matt and Sandy were inspired to bring the organi-ing up; Middle: Participants practice eye-handzation closer to home. coordination; Bottom: Shreya Ramesh, MaddieThe LoPiccolo family: (L to R) Matt, Ellie, Maddie and LoPiccolo and Karenna work on racquet skills. In speaking with other SOMA parents of chil- Sandy.32/ matters magazine / winter 2026'